An Analysis of Subjective Perceptions of Future Competencies among Pre-service Early Childhood Teachers

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Pre-service early childhood teachers' perceptions of future competencies can be categorized into four distinct types—emphasizing responsibility/self-regulation, empathy/relationship building, continuous learning/professional development, and dedication to children—with responsibility and relationship building being universally valued across all types. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Hyejeong Lee; Seonyoung Moon; Eunshim Kim

doi:10.32349/ecerr.2026.8.30.4.133

August 21, 2026Early Childhood Education Research & Review

An Analysis of Subjective Perceptions of Future Competencies among Pre-service Early Childhood Teachers

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Key Points

To identify and categorize the subjective perceptions and structural characteristics of future core competencies among pre-service early childhood educators.
Constructed a Q-population derived from prior literature, open-ended questionnaires, and in-depth interview data.
Administered Q-sorting and analysis among 45 early childhood education students at G University (N=45).
Identified four distinct perceptual types: responsibility and self-regulation focus, empathy and relationship-building focus, continuous learning and professional development focus, and child dedication and duty focus.
Responsibility and relationship building were uniformly recognized as essential across all four groups, whereas views on digital competencies and global citizenship varied substantially by type.

Implication

Q-methodology study identifies four distinct future competency profiles in pre-service early childhood teachers, highlighting the universal importance of responsibility and relationship building.

Abstract

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Cite This Study

Lee et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8aae007677a34114446a84 https://doi.org/10.32349/ecerr.2026.8.30.4.133

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An Analysis of Subjective Perceptions of Future Competencies among Pre-service Early Childhood Teachers

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

An Analysis of Subjective Perceptions of Future Competencies among Pre-service Early Childhood Teachers

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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